Do you know how many fountains there are in Villa d’Este Tivoli? 51. The answer is quite surprising considering that the Villa expands on only 4,5 hectares. What’s even more surprising is the number of its water jets: 364. And 64 waterfalls! Just to give you some numbers… By the way, I have a little confession to make. I may have used a clickbait headline for this post: 479 is the sum of all the fountains, waterfalls, and water jets of the Villa. But If you will continue to read, you will see that it was absolutely worth it, and I hope you will forgive me! 🙂
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In This Article
Prepare your visit and the ONE thing I wish I knew
To visit Villa d’Este and If you have enough time, I recommend you to book a unique ticket that includes also Villa Adriana and the Sanctuary of Hercules Victor. To move around consider renting a car or booking a taxi (although that might be expensive). Tivoli is quite far from Rome’s city center.
If it’s your first time visiting, note that Villa d’Este is all about stairs!
There are so many stairs between the different levels. When visiting dress comfortably and wear good shoes. I risked stumbling many times (well that’s partly due to my long dress). Keep that in mind, especially if you’re adding Villa Adriana to your tour. you’ll easily walk 12-15 kilometers in one day.
Let’s start with some historical background:
The history of Villa d’Este Tivoli
Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, who became governor of Tivoli in 1549, after his candidacy to become Pope was rejected, commissioned this masterpiece of the Renaissance. Unfortunately, the cardinal never saw the gardens of his Villa ended. In fact, he died in 1572 and his nephew inherited his possession along with the Villa. Later, each one of the following owners made some modifications to the gardens, until the Villa was neglected and abandoned by the end of the 17th century.
In the second half of the 19th century, the Villa had a new owner: Cardinal Gustav Von Hohenlohe. Thanks to him, the Villa was brought back to its ancient splendors, and attracted again artists, poets, and musicians from all around Europe. After World War I, the Italian state acquired the Villa and made it accessible to all.
Visiting the interiors
The Villa’s interiors are very beautiful and highly decorated. Before you enter the cardinal’s apartments, there is a small section of the villa that hosts modern exhibitions and archaeological finds from Tivoli and its surroundings. While visiting don’t forget to look up and admire the ceilings.
During the Villa’s decline, Ippolito d’Este’s apartments were robbed. Many of the decorations were sold or even stolen. However, luckily for us, the splendid frescoes on the ceilings and walls remained intact. On the lower floor, under the cardinal’s apartment, there is a series of 11 rooms highly decorated in a mannerism style. The illusion of curtains, columns, and doors creates many optical effects that amaze the visitors. The cardinal used these rooms to meditate, study and relax during his stays at the Villa.
Two fountains were part of the decorations of the Hall of Venus and the Hall of the fountain. The one who decorated the Hall of Venus was removed in the 19th century, together with his statue. While the second, a wall fountain, is still present and represents a gateway between the Villa and the exteriors, where the cardinal welcomed his guests who entered from the gardens.
While wandering in the different rooms, have a look at the spectacular view outside the windows. You can admire almost the whole garden. Although the many trees, that were added in the mid-1600s, hide part of the view.
Get lost in the beauty of the Villa’s gardens
The jewel in the crown of Villa d’Este is without a doubt its gardens.
Once you exit the Cardinal’s apartments, you are in the Vialone, a very large Terrace that has a view of some of the fountains. The garden is a sort of labyrinth. Don’t start your visit without a map! You may miss some of the fountains and believe me when I say that each one of them is worth to be seen. When visiting, ask at the box office if and at what time the Water Organ will play. According to the answer, organize your visit to the garden so that you can assist to the organ activation.
The Upper Garden
- The Oval Fountain is one of the largest basins in the Villa with the Venus Grotto.
- The Hundred Fountains is an alley that connects the Oval Fountain to the Fountain of Rome. The alley has about 280 water sprouts that have many different forms, mainly animal masks.
- The Fountain of Rome is a miniature representation of ancient Rome. It’s also known as Rometta fountain because it’s a small representation of the Eternal City that can be admired to the right of the basins.
The three fountains are a symbolic representation of the Tiber. The river emerges from the mountains (Oval Fountain), bathes the valley (Hundred Fountains), and reaches Rome and the sea (Roma Fountain).
- The Fountain of the Owl is an ingenious automaton that produced music. In the early 2000s, the fountain was restored, and now the owl and the birds can move and sing again.
- The Fountain of the Organ is a masterpiece of engineering and its innovative mechanism has been copied in other creations. Claude Venard created and installed the Water Organ in 1571, but due to its frailty, the Organ was restored many times during the past centuries. Today the mechanism is functional and delights the tourists by playing four different baroque melodies for about 4 minutes.
- The Fountain of Neptune was a rocky fountain work of Italian maestro Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Unfortunately, the decline of the Villa for over two centuries caused the degradation of the fountain which was completely restored in 1930.
The Lower Garden
- The three Fish Ponds had a practical use. In fact, they served to provide fresh fish and ducks to the table of the cardinal.
- The Fountain of the Swans and the Belvedere. One of the most beautiful views over Rome is in Villa d’Este, and more precisely in this bucolic corner, that’s the Fountain of the Swans. At the lindens shadow enjoy the beautiful view on Rome and its surroundings.
- The Fountain of Diana of Ephesus was once next to the Water Organ and is modeled after a classical statue of the 2nd-century of Diana.
Last but not least, admire the view from the Gran Loggia
Before ending your visit, stop by the Gran Loggia. The structure of the covered terrace reminds that of an ancient Roman Triumphal Arch. But what makes it special is the view of Rome and its surroundings. The smallest terrace on the right faces the garden directly above the Rome Fountain.
Do NOT overlook Tivoli when you’re visiting Rome
If you’re visiting Rome and the Italian region of Lazio, you should definitely put Villa d’Este on your list! Together with Villa Adriana, Tivoli’s villae is a must-visit to understand Rome’s history and heritage. Did you know that it’s possible to visit Rome centre in a day? Although, I recommend spending more time in the eternal city, you may be interested in my one-day Rome itinerary, including the Vatican City. So that you can explore more Lazio and beyond.
Are you looking for more inspiration for your trip to Italy? I have more inspiring places for you, divided by region so that it’s easier to build your itinerary.
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